Chapter 308: The Secret of the Dan Book Silver Scroll

The Sky-Devouring Tiger cautiously replied, “I’ve discovered that the White-Furred Jade-Eyed Beast’s most valuable feature, its eyes, were sold by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Auction House. However, the silver scroll of elixirs it carried has gone missing.”

The blood-robed girl’s expression changed dramatically. The silver scroll of elixirs was the key to the Demon Emperor’s Secret Realm! This realm was once the cultivation abode of the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf, the former ruler of the demon world. As an unparalleled Demon Emperor in the late Nascent Soul stage, just one step away from entering the Soul Transformation realm, he had left behind countless hidden treasures within his dwelling. He had created twenty-four silver scrolls of elixirs, each granting access to his Demon Emperor’s Secret Realm for cultivation. When he suddenly died years ago, these twenty-four scrolls scattered across the demon world, sparking countless bloody conflicts.

The blood-robed girl’s father, the current Demon Emperor, was incredibly fortunate to acquire one of these silver scrolls of elixirs. It enabled him to swiftly ascend from an obscure Beast King to the Demon Emperor. Now, she too aspires to follow her father’s path and become a female Demon Emperor.

After many years of investigation, she finally found clues suggesting that one of the silver scrolls of elixirs was located in the Nine Sects Land. The intelligence indicated that a descendant of the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf, likely possessing the scroll, was hidden there. This led the blood-robed girl to personally infiltrate the Nine Sects Land. However, the latest news filled her with immense fury.

“Who was it? Which demon beast intercepted it?” The Sky-Devouring Tiger shook its head. “It doesn't appear to be the work of a demon. It's more likely that someone killed it, and if my suspicions are correct, the silver scroll of elixirs should now be with that person.”

Both anxious and enraged, the blood-robed girl commanded, “Find him for me! Dig three feet deep if you must, but locate this person! If he's wise, he'll obediently hand over the silver scroll of elixirs; I'll spare his life and even grant him some good fortune. But if he's not, then he shouldn't blame me for being merciless!”

The path to becoming a Demon Emperor is even more arduous than that of a human Nascent Soul cultivator. Any opportunity, however slim, is considered a stroke of divine luck. With a silver scroll of elixirs now within reach, how could she possibly let it slip away?

The Sky-Devouring Tiger nodded. “Yes, Young Master!” It paused, then added with a touch of concern, “Young Master, you can entrust these tasks to your subordinates. You should return to the Demon Emperor’s Palace as soon as possible. If your identity were to be discovered in the Nine Sects Land, the cultivators there would never let you leave.”

The blood-robed girl nodded slightly. “Now that I’ve confirmed you’re alive, I feel much more at ease. I’ll return soon. However, since the Myriad Sword Sect injured you so severely, I must make them pay a price!” A dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.

The Sky-Devouring Tiger’s heart sank. “Young Master, what are you planning?” It had an ominous premonition. The blood-robed girl narrowed her eyes and smiled. “I hear the elite disciples from the Nine Sects are all heading to the Sword Forest for advanced training. What do you suppose would happen if I infiltrated their ranks, killed them, and then framed the Myriad Sword Sect? Wouldn’t the other sects demand an explanation from them?”

Only disciples at Foundation Establishment stage eight, or even nine, would be eligible to train at the Myriad Sword Sect. These were truly the cream of the crop within their respective sects. The loss of even one would be a significant blow, causing considerable pain to a sect. If several were lost, which sect could possibly bear such a setback? They would undoubtedly be enraged and seek retribution from the Myriad Sword Sect.

The Sky-Devouring Tiger’s expression shifted, and it urgently pleaded, “Young Master, you mustn’t! The Myriad Sword Sect is teeming with masters; if you’re recognized, you won’t be able to escape!”

The blood-robed girl smiled faintly. From her bosom, she produced a thumb-sized black pearl and swallowed it in one swift motion. This was the inner core of a mythical beast called a *蜃* (Mìr). Upon ingesting it, her demonic aura completely vanished, and the pair of pointed horns on her head became invisible to the naked eye. “Even the Grand Elder of the Myriad Sword Sect wouldn’t be able to recognize me!” she said with a mysterious smile, revealing two rows of gleaming white fangs.

Meanwhile, Jiang Fan and his group had taken a secluded mountain path. Their two carriages bypassed half of the Joyful Union Sect’s territory, finally entering the Myriad Sword Sect’s lands several days later. They were currently traversing a range of hills, their movements kept highly discreet.

Yet, the unease that lingered in Xu Qingyang’s heart refused to dissipate. He glanced at the nearly healed wound on his chest, and only then did his anxious heart slightly calm. After the poison had been extracted, his powerful physique allowed him to recover his injuries to the greatest extent. He had now regained about fifty percent of his strength. As long as they didn’t encounter entities on the level of the Four Great Demon Kings, he could manage without much trouble. Of course, a whole group of them would be an entirely different story.

Ling Jinghu, who was driving, slowed the carriages as they entered the Myriad Sword Sect’s territory. He called back to Jiang Fan, “Let’s take a break.” Jiang Fan furrowed his brow slightly. “Elder Ling,” he said, “it’s not too late to rest once we reach a major town within the Myriad Sword Sect’s domain.” He pondered what kind of entity could have terrified Jin Yunlie so deeply that he didn’t even dare retrieve his own teeth. The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.

Ling Jinghu muttered, “Isn’t this boy overly cautious?” Xu Qingyang, however, showed a hint of appreciation. “I actually find his temperament quite commendable,” he said. “In the martial arts, talent may set your upper limit, but it’s your disposition that determines your lower limit. As long as his innate talent is decent, his future achievements will surely be significant.”

Prodigies from the Nine Sects Land were as numerous as fish in a river, countless in their generations. Yet, only a select few of the current era’s powerhouses ultimately matured into formidable figures. Most other talented individuals met an early demise along their journey, often due to a lack of caution that led to various accidents. Given Jiang Fan’s meticulous and prudent nature, it would be difficult for anyone to bring him harm.

“However, while we can endure this, the disciples and the two horses cannot,” Ling Jinghu said with a wry smile. Only then did Xu Qingyang notice the state of their mounts. The two horses had run continuously for three days and three nights; even after being fed precious spirit pills, they were exhausted and frothing at the mouth. The disciples in the carriage were in even worse shape, their bodies aching from the constant jolting. They were listless, slumped against the carriage walls, barely able to keep their eyes open. If they pushed on, these disciples would surely collapse before reaching the Myriad Sword Sect. He conceded, “Alright, we’ll take a brief rest!”

Upon hearing this, the disciples appeared as though they had been saved. They painstakingly dragged their aching bodies out of the carriage to rest. Xu Qingyang looked at the weary group with a helpless expression. Suddenly, he was surprised to see Jiang Fan in the back behaving as if nothing had happened. Jiang Fan lightly leapt from the carriage like a swallow, still energetic enough to climb a tall tree and survey the surroundings, ensuring their safety. Xu Qingyang was greatly astonished, a realization dawning on him: “Is this young man a body refiner? He seems entirely unaffected.”

It was worth noting that while the other disciples rode in relative comfort inside the carriages, Jiang Fan had been on horseback, steering the animals, enduring a far bumpier journey.

“Come here!” he said, his eyes glinting. Jiang Fan, hearing his call, sprang down. *Thud*— His feet hit the ground with a dull impact, causing a slight tremor. Dirt and small stones scattered outwards, and a distinct pair of footprints were left impressed in the earth.

Witnessing this, Ling Jinghu was astonished. “That physique... it’s at least Golden Core stage two!” he exclaimed. “But his spiritual energy seems to be only at the Foundation Establishment realm!”

Xu Qingyang was even more taken aback, asking suspiciously, “Are you, by any chance, a disciple of the Giant Sect?” He eyed the masked youth with growing curiosity. The boy possessed medical skills, cultivated his physique, and his cultivation realm seemed far from low. When had such an exceptional young individual appeared in the Nine Sects Land?

Jiang Fan truthfully replied, “It’s a body refining technique I’ve been exploring and cultivating on my own; I hope it doesn’t amuse you two seniors.” Xu Qingyang waved a dismissive hand. “No need for modesty. Your body refining technique is on par with the Giant Sect’s current chief disciple. If those people knew someone had self-taught a body refining technique and was catching up to their most celebrated prodigy, their expressions would be quite something.” He scoffed, making it clear he held no particular affection for the Giant Sect.

Jiang Fan was torn between laughter and tears. Strictly speaking, the *Iron Blood True Scripture* was, in fact, the Giant Sect’s very own body refining method. However, their lack of soul masters prevented them from successfully cultivating it, which ultimately benefited Jiang Fan.

“However, body refining techniques become incredibly resource-intensive in their later stages,” Xu Qingyang remarked, stroking his beard.

Jiang Fan nodded slightly, a flicker of worry clouding his brow. He had managed to cultivate to this stage largely thanks to Tie Bubai’s Wind Blood Stone. However, such rare items were exceedingly scarce in the Nine Sects Land. Even if they existed, they would be held by powerful figures like Tie Bubai, never openly sold. He certainly couldn’t resort to stealing them. Unless an unexpected opportunity arose, his body refining technique would likely be stagnant for a considerable period.

“If you wish to continue cultivating, I might be able to offer you some assistance,” Xu Qingyang said, a faint smile suddenly gracing his lips.